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<p>Key word in the above…MAY. I believe that almost all schools give at least one award to at least one student that meets full need. BUT unless this is a GUARANTEE for all admitted students one should not hedge their bets on getting full need met.</p>
<p>As an example, University of South Carolina offers a McNair Scholarship…and this award can be stacked with other forms of aid up to the full cost of attendance. The McNair is actually a full ride, with some other perks. Added funds from elsewhere can pay for books, transportation, and personal expenses…all parts of the cost of attendance. Some kids do get need based awards (e.g. Pell eligible would get the Pell…so would be getting some need based aid as well as McNair). BUT this full ride is really for a small fraction of highly competitive students, and is not guaranteed by the university for all who are admitted.</p>